Real Madrid plagued by trouble ahead of City clash

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid go into their Champions League tie against Manchester City in the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday full of doubts after an indifferent start to their La Liga campaign.

The opening clash in a strong Group D, that also includes Dutch champions Ajax and Bundesliga winners Borussia Dortmund, will be crucial for both sides' aspirations to be crowned the continent's top side this season.

Madrid are beaten semi-finalists in the past two years while City disappointed in their first ever appearance last season going out in a group won by Bayern Munich, the eventual runners-up and semi-final victors over Madrid.

City's only European triumph to date came in the 1970 European Cup Winners Cup, but on the back of their first English league title in 44 years, nights like Tuesday in the Bernabeu mean they can finally aspire to challenge sides at the top of European football.